Monday, September 17, 2012

Memphis Lives in Me....

I got to see the touring cast of Memphis last night and I am happy to say I laughed, I cried, and I got chills on multiple occasions. I admit I was skeptical, I hadn't heard a lot of buzz about this show out here on the west coast, but I have had the soundtrack for a while and using the classic "If you like 3 or more songs on the soundtrack, you'll like the show" rule, I figured I would enjoy the evening -- I didn't plan on being delighted with the fast-paced show from the start of the opening number! I was particularly enthralled with the choreography, not to mention the brilliant leads: Felicia Boswell and Bryan Renkart; their talent was truly inspiring! I wish them (and the entire fantastical cast!) all the best on the rest of their tour -- thank you for sharing this story with Portland!

Here is one of my favorite songs from the show: "Love Will Stand When All Else Falls" sung by the Original Broadway Cast starring Chad Kimball and Montego Glover.

Hockadoo!



"The sun is sinkin' and time's got me thinkin'-
As we grow old, will our love stay strong,
Or will it disappear?
Tomorrow's unknown, but today is our own.
So take my hand, hold on with no fear,
'Cause baby, 'cause baby, 'cause baby- I'm here."

"Whoa, there's one way to live, be kind and forgive.
I have the power in me!
Follow me where I lead, I'll meet ev'ry need.
We will endure what life has in store.
Have faith and believe, like the air that you breathe-
Love will stand when all else falls.
Love will stand when all else falls."

Monday, September 10, 2012

Where I Belong....


I am happy to say that while I may not have been blogging the last few months, I haven't been hiding under a rock ;) I have been performing in a production of Gilbert & Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore! It has been absolutely wonderful and I will be sad to say goodbye to such a fun show ~ being on stage again has renewed my zest for life, and interacting with so many talented thespians has been an incredibly rewarding and humbling experience. I have learned so much and look forward to working with this company again!

Over the past month, every time I have arrived at the theatre for a rehearsal or performance, I find myself humming (and/or singing) "The World Above" from The Little Mermaid. It probably comes as no surprise that Ariel is my favorite Disney Princess - she is a fellow hope-filled [red-headed] dreamer - adventurous & stubborn, putting her heart above all else. So much of what she says resonates with my own heart as I inch ever-nearer to Broadway: "I don't know when, I don't know how...watch and you'll see, someday I'll be, part of that world."

I was meant for the stage...this is where I belong.




"It’s like my life was wrong
And somehow, now, at last I’m in
My own skin
Up here in the world above!"

"It feels so right here
Warm as love...
Life seems to be
Almost calling to me"